Electrical Pressurization Concept for the Orion MPCV European Service Module Propulsion System

The paper presents the design of the pressurization system of the European Service Module (ESM) of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). Being part of the propulsion subsystem, an electrical pressurization concept is implemented to condition propellants according to the engine needs via a ban...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inNASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI). Conference Proceedings
Main Authors Meiss, Jan-Hendrik, Weber, Jorg, Ierardo, Nicola, Quinn, Frank D, Paisley, Jonathan
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Hampton NASA/Langley Research Center 31.08.2015
Subjects
Design engineering
Failure detection
Fuel tank pressurization
Fuel tanks
Preliminary designs
Pressure sensors
Pressurization
Propellants
Propulsion systems
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The paper presents the design of the pressurization system of the European Service Module (ESM) of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). Being part of the propulsion subsystem, an electrical pressurization concept is implemented to condition propellants according to the engine needs via a bang-bang regulation system. Separate pressurization for the oxidizer and the fuel tank permits mixture ratio adjustments and prevents vapor mixing of the two hypergolic propellants during nominal operation. In case of loss of pressurization capability of a single side, the system can be converted into a common pressurization system. The regulation concept is based on evaluation of a set of tank pressure sensors and according activation of regulation valves, based on a single-failure tolerant weighting of three pressure signals. While regulation is performed on ESM level, commanding of regulation parameters as well as failure detection, isolation and recovery is performed from within the Crew Module, developed by Lockheed Martin Space System Company. The overall design and development maturity presented is post Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and reflects the current status of the MPCV ESM pressurization system.